Algeria: Fifty Years of Independence.

FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ALGERIA INDEPENDENCE

ALGIERS- President of the Republic Abdelaziz Bouteflika on Thursday paid homage to the memory of the national Liberation War martyrs in a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Independence at the Sanctuary of Martyrs in Algiers.Liberté suggests that over 3 and a half million Algerians died during 132 years of colonisation – here.

El Watan reports on an interesting debate about the legacy of the pro-Algerian independence Martinique activist Frantz Fanon – Here.

The French language daily also carries information on celebrations and protests indpendent of the authoritarian ruling coalition, of the FLN, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika and the RND of Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia– Here.

Le Matin (Algeria) strongly criticises the existing Algerian government and suggests that these celebrations are a distraction from the enormous difficulties Algierians suffer

Yet another stroke of luck for Bouteflika and his system. They could hide the real Algeria, which suffers from everything, from hunger, from terrorism, from ageing corruption, from oppression (Hogra – Algerian dialect, literally, being despised), up to being strangled if they must, behind all the bunting of a virtual commemoration – emptied of all genuine content, which after 50 years of independence, which is forced to prostitute itself – behind fireworks, tawdry musical comedy, and fossilised tradition.

Le Monde publishes an interesting “Interactive” visual and written account of the war of national liberation and its legacy – Here.

Libération has produced a detailed narrative and illustrated account of the days leading up to independence – Here.